Why Todd Sampson’s Qantas board role is in jeopardy
Todd Sampson was on the Qantas board to build its brand. He also juggled a high profile TV gig that took him as far as Siberia. Now, insiders claim shareholders could leave him out in the cold.
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T-shirt wearing advertising guru Todd Sampson is at risk of being booted off the Qantas board as shareholders and pilots question his value to the embattled airline.
Mr Sampson, who was made famous in his role on the ABC’s advertising program Gruen, is seeking another term on the board at the annual general meeting next month.
Captain Tony Lucas, of the Australian and International Pilots Association, and Rachel Waterhouse, chief executive of the Australian Shareholders’ Association, have raised concerns about Qantas’ direction and marketing.
Chairman Richard Goyder has announced he will quit the board in November next year, while former chief executive Alan Joyce has departed the airline.
But Ms Waterhouse said “Qantas needs to go further.”
“Retail shareholders get to vote and they will be voting at the AGM on the 3rd of November, that’s a real opportunity for shareholders to engage on the remuneration report and the proposed board members,” Ms Waterhouse said.
“We are yet to finalise our voting intentions but it’s not a guarantee that all of them will get our vote.”
Alan Joyce’s bonuses will also be on the line at the meeting, with as much as $14.4 million of his final year package of $21.4 million at risk.
Mr Sampson has earned more than $1.5 million for his Qantas board role since 2017.
He has juggled his board role with a string of high profile television roles, including starring in Network Ten show Body Hack.
He filmed hunter gathers in Tanzania, cage fighters in New Mexico and worked as a Himalayan Sherpa for that program.
Belinda Hutchinson, who is also currently on the board, will also face re-election.
Captain Tony Lucas, of the AIPA said: “Todd Sampson was brought onto the board as a doyen of marketing and brand.
“When you look at where the Qantas brand is at the moment the question needs to be asked as to the impact of his tenure.”
TWU National Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh said Mr Sampson should not be re-elected to the board.
“As a member of the remuneration and audit committees, Sampson played a major role in deciding Alan Joyce’s obscene bonuses,” Mr McIntosh said.
“The record speaks for itself. Retaining Todd Sampson on the Qantas board means more of the same. Qantas needs radical change and a fresh start, which means distance from board members like Richard Goyder and Todd Sampson as soon as possible.”
Mr Sampson was approached for comment.
Qantas non-executive director Michael L’Estrange, who was previously Australian High Commissioner to the UK, will retire at the November 3 meeting.
Maxine Brenner, who is also a director at Origin Energy, Telstra and Woolworths, will also quit after 10 years on the board.
Jacqueline Hey, who is also chair of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, will also retire after 10 years on the Qantas board.
Former American Airlines chair Doug Parker and Dr Heather Smith, who has had a decorated public service career, have been nominated for the board.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson will also seek to have her board nomination rubber stamped in November.
stephen.drill@news.com.au
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